Red Raiders sweep up rival Andover

ANDOVER -- The rematch between Merrimack Valley Conference boys basketball Lowell and Andover teams ended the same way the first bout did.

And that was just fine with Lowell, which pulled off the season sweep with a 61-54 win.

Senior Jonathan Perez led Lowell with a monster game, pouring in 25 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The win moves Lowell (14-2) into third place in the MVC and drops Andover (11-4) to fourth.

Lowell started the game missing its first five shots, struggling to find a rhythm early on. Andover took advantage of Lowell's slow start and capitalized on Lowell's zone defense, hitting its perimeter shots and jumping out to an early lead. Lowell would only muster six first-quarter points and trailed 13-6 after the first quarter.

"I thought the ball was sticking in our hands. We weren't moving the ball. We were only getting one shot and they weren't quality shots," Lowell head coach Scott Boyle said. "I told em' let's get to the basket, let's move the ball and look inside. I think it started to turn for us in the second quarter and the kids did a lot better job."

The tables did turn for Lowell as it started the second quarter the exact opposite as it started the first. Lowell scored the first five points of the quarter and cut the lead to two. Both teams were evenly matched, answering each other's baskets and headed into the half tied at 22.

Andover came out of the half once again hot from the perimeter and continued to drain open jump shots.

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The Golden Warriors would gain the upper hand on Lowell in the third quarter, taking a 39-34 lead at the end of three.

Perez would take matters into his own hands in the fourth, dropping 15 of his 25 points in the final frame. Andover cut the lead to six with just under a minute left, but a Perez steal and outlet pass to center Drew Healy, who threw down a two-handed dunk, gave Lowell a comfortable lead.

Perez would drain four clutch free throws down the stretch to secure the win for the Red Raiders.

"I think he's had that type of year. Tonight he led our team in rebounding. He got to the rim and he scored. He's become a well-rounded player. In the past, he wasn't that guy, but I think he has been that guy since day one this year," Boyle said of Perez.

Perez registered three assists, three steals, 10 free throws and a 3-pointer.

"My coach is always pushing me in practice. For the past four years, he's always on me about rebounding and the defensive end. So I have to step up as a captain of the team and do all the little things to win games," Perez said. "I just want to win, that's all it is. Whatever it takes. If it's grabbing rebounds, taking charges, whatever, I just want to win."

Lowell's tough schedule continues next week as it will face the top two teams in the conference, playing host to North Andover on Tuesday and rival Central Catholic on Friday.

"Those are big games, but if we practice they way we've been practicing, then we should pick up steam and play well," Perez said.

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